There was a huge crowd camped out in front of Coachella stage, but they didn’t all appear to be into the indie-pop rock that Death Cab for Cutie was playing. They likely were just reserving a spot for later acts as many laid around and seemed disinterested, so crediting their fans with creating the biggest smoky haze of the day might not be fair or accurate.
Although Rilo Kiley only has one female member, they seemed to inspire a lot of girl power as women outnumbered the guys by at least 3:1 over at Outdoor. They had a great rocking sound so it was easy to see why they drew a large audience. I didn't know their music before today, but they won me and sold a future CD.
When Kraftwerk hit the Coachella stage, I hope whatever techo/electronica bands were playing in the other tents offered a moment of silence in honor of the debt they owe to these trend-setting musicians. What was most interesting to hear was the contrast between these elder statesmen and the new breed. Kraftwerk’s music doesn’t have the same driving intensity in their music or their effects; it’s almost quaint in comparison. During their encore, they performed in glowing suits that looked like they were from Tron. As usual at these large events, some arriving audience members pressed their way as far to the front as they could towards the stage. It struck me as odd because the band is just four guys with computers, so I am not sure what people thought they were going to see.
During Kraftwerk’s set, I had time to make my way to the beer garden/food court for dinner. While eating a slice of pizza, I noticed Perry Farrell nonchalantly walking by with his wife and some friends. I wanted to run up and say, “Thanks for the music and all the shows over the past 20 years,” but as usual, with no way to introduce myself without looking like a crazy person, I just sat there and watched him pass. Buying his next album and applauding at the next show will have to suffice.
At Outdoor Mark Ronson performed with his own musical revue, complete with horns and a few stringed instruments, but with more of a dance sound than Sharon Jones from the previous night. He had different singers, including one young man named Charlie who sang Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black.”
Article comments
1 - Donald Gibson
"With a long drive ahead and a full day still to come, I left before Prince took the stage."
I'm trying to find an apt analogy (leaving an arena before Springsteen plays "Born To Run," perhaps; leaving a theatre before you realize the ending of The Sixth Sense), but nothing seems to fit. Are you not that much of a Prince fan or was the traffic that bad? (I heard Portishead was none too pleased with having their headlining status essentially bumped for the Purple One.)
You didn't leave before Roger Waters' set on Night 3, did you?
2 - Glen Boyd
Gotta echo Gibson here Bicho. Prince is amazing live, and short of my house burning down I wouldn't have missed that. The Musicology shows a few years ago were absolutely incredible. great report otherwise though.
-Glen
3 - El Bicho
I am not much more than a greatest hits fan of Prince at the present time. There were a number of factors in my leaving before he went on that went into my decision.
There was a good 20 minutes to wait before he was scheduled to come on. My legs and feet were already starting to feel sore, and I knew there was a full day ahead of me. I didn't pay for the the ticket so it's not like I lost anything in the transaction and since Oscuro was there, I knew it was going to get covered.
Considering he didn't finish until 1AM, and I still had to pack up from where I stayed in town, I wouldn't have gotten home until after 3 AM regardless of traffic, and I didn't have the youth or drugs to keep me from being wrecked the next day, which I knew we were going to close. [Or did we? Read Day Three to find out.]
4 - Josh Hathaway
Rilo Kiley is amazing, Sir Bicho. I'd suggest The Execution of All Things first, followed by Under the Blacklight.
5 - Glen Boyd
For as good a live representation of MMJ as you are likely to find, I'd point you towards the DVD Okonokos. Yer' welcome.
-Glen
6 - El Bicho
I think you meant this for Day Three, but I will make a note of it